The John Jay football players are saying the orders to hit the referee came straight from the head coach. Allegedly the referee had been using racial slurs during the game and aimed them at certain players on the team. Although the official denies that claim, the two players say they heard it for themselves. When the orders came down from the coach, they were simply doing what they were told.

"You need to hit the ref, he needs to pay the price," was the order given to the players.